Tale of Four Cities

Introduction

Time: All Year

Accommodation: 5 Star Hotels

Start Date: 7 Nights / 8 Days

Group Size: Singles, Couples, Families and Small Groups

There are four cities in the world representing four of Europe’s great cultures. We visit the symbolic centre of the Roman world; Rome, the stylish and sophisticated Paris, the greatest and most influential place on the planet; London and the vibrant and modern capital of Ireland; Dublin. You will stay two days in every city visiting each city’s outstanding attractions.

Profile

This tour starts in Rome and by means of short flights travel to Paris, London then Dublin. We aim to minimise the air travel time at each destination and you will start each city tour by meeting your guide at the airport. In each city, you will see the world famous sites associated with each of them. You will stay in the best hotels, eat at the finest restaurants and be guided by the best in the business.

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Why not create your own tour? As with all our tours the attractions you see will take account of your interests and can be adapted to what you want to see. So, if you want to see places not on the list below, just let us know. Complete our enquiry form to find out more »

Itinerary

Day 1: Rome - Forum - Colosseum - Pantheon

From your airport, we travel the short journey into ROME, the heart of the Roman Empire by visiting the COLOSSEUM. Holding 55,000 spectators, deadly gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights were staged here by the emperors to gain popularity. The ceremonial centre of the Roman Empire – the FORUM. Originally a chaotic marketplace, rebuilt in the C2nd BC to house the law courts and business centres. Walking back through the ancient streets, we will stop off at the PANTHEON – the temple of the gods. Built by Emperor Hadrian in AD118 it is lined with the tombs of monarchs and a monument to Raphael.

Day 2: Vatican - St Peters - Shops

VATICAN CITY is the home of the Catholic Church. Starting in the MUSEUM we will see the major galleries and classical pieces including the magnificent Rooms of Raphael and culminating in the incredible SISTINE CHAPEL. From here, we will walk around St Peter’s Piazza examining the history of Vatican State before entering the Basilica. Inside we will cover the main monuments such as the Dome and the Crypt of ST PETER. Walking across the Tiber, we will visit two of Rome’s great meeting points, the TREVI FOUNTAIN and the SPANISH STEPS. Between them are some of the world’s most famous SHOPS.

Day 3: Paris - Notre Dame - Boat Trip - Eiffel

After the short flight we will whisk you into the centre of the Paris. The city’s great cathedral is NOTRE DAME. Built between 1163 and 1345 on an island in the middle of the River Seine, the church towers offer superb views and a close up of the famous gargolyes. A BOAT TRIP along the river to see the sites and will eventually arrive at the EIFFEL TOWER. At 1043 feet high, the tower weighs less than the cylinder of air it contains. There are three levels, the highest with a viewing platform. After this, we will visit LES INVALIDES – Napoleon’s burial place. Lastly, a stroll along the Champs-Elysees and the ARC DE TRIOMPHE.

Day 4: Louvre - Orsay - Versailles

The LOUVRE has the largest collection of European art stretching from the middle ages to 1850. The most viewed piece of art is the Mona Lisa which was bought from Leonardo da Vinci by Francois I. Just over the River Seine is the ORSAY MUSEUM. Created from an old railway station, it houses works of art from the C19th and 20th. Strolling back over the river and across the Jardin des Tuileries – a quiet sanctuary, we will arrive at Place de la Concorde. This is where the executioners sped their victims to eternity by means of the guillotine. Just out of the city is the opulent PALACE OF VERSAILLES.

Day 5: London - Tower - City - St Paul's

From the EUROSTAR we will arrive at the TOWER OF LONDON. William the Conquer began building the Tower as a symbol of his power. Over the centuries, buildings have been added to form today’s large complex. You will see the Crown Jewels and meet the Beefeaters. Nearby, is the iconic TOWER BRIDGE over the River Thames. Both these are in the CITY, London’s main trading centre. Passing through the small streets, stopping at the site where the great fire of London started before we arrive at ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL. Built by Christopher Wren, the cathedral was a symbol of defiance in WWII.

Day 6: Westminster - Galleries - British Museum

We start the day at WESTMINSTER, the resting place of English monarchs for over 1000 years. Just across the road from the Abbey is the seat of the Houses of Parliament and, the tower of BIG BEN. From here, we travel through St James’s Park to Trafalgar Square - now a fabulous pedestrian walkway and onto the NATINAL GALLERY, home to many world famous paintings including Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and Constable’s Haywain.The oldest public museum on the planet is the BRITISH MUSEUM. There are 94 galleries spanning 2 million years of World history.

Day 7: Dublin - St Patricks - Trinity College

An early morning flight will take us straight into the centre of Ireland's capital city; DUBLIN. Set around the River Liffey, the city has a wealth of attractions within walking distance of each other. We will start with CHRIST CHURCH, built by the Normans in C12th before visiting ST PATRICKS with is spectacular interior and momuments to prominet Irish Writers. Strolling through the busy shopping streets, our last stop will be TRINITY COLLEGE. This is one of the principal seats of learning and the building contains a glorious library, treasury and the BOOK OF KELLS - a richly decorated medieval manuscript.

Day 8: Newgrange - Guinness - Live Music

A short distance away is pre-historic site of NEWGRANGE. This is a passage tomb dating back to 3200 BC. Irish legend states the kings of Tara - the Celtic kings are buried here. On the winter solstice, rays of sun enter the tomb and light up the burial chamber. On the way back into Dublin, the GUINNESS STOREHOUSE is a four acre site where you will discover the processes invloved in making this most famous black beer. Dublin is famous for LIVE MUSIC. The improvisional nature make no two pieces the same. We will visit a pub famed for it's music.

Extension - Scotland - Edinburgh

From the airport, your guide will collect you and introduce you to the history and sites of EDINBURGH. The heart of the city is a World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful cityscapes anywhere. Edinburgh Castle dominates the skyline and you can relax whilst we drive through the city streets. Staring at the OLD TOWN, a medieval city with the complicated street pattern and bustling cultural scene we will pass Arthur’s Seat and the Scottish Parliament. One of the best views of the city can be had from Carlton Park before passing Princes Street to the Georgian NEW TOWN and its award winning architecture.

Day 2: Castle - Royal Mile - Holyroodhouse

Today, we will take a stroll down the ROYAL MILE. At the top is Edinburgh CASTLE. This most famous of Scottish castles dates from the C12th. You will see the CROWN JEWELS of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. Walking down the Royal Mile we will explore its numerous alleys and legends. Half way is ST GILES Cathedral. Often referred to as the “Cradle of Presbyterianism” it was John Knox’s church in the reformation. At the bottom, the Palace of HOLYROODHOUSE is the Queen’s official residence in Scotland. Known as the home of Mary Queen of Scots it was the setting for the most dramatic parts of her reign.